THE HEAVY showers just prior to the start of the Skipton Angling Association’s third Taster Day at Whinnygill Reservoir may have been responsible for a slightly lower attendance but those that wet a line enjoyed some good catches and even the weather improved as the day went on.

The best fish caught by young master Golightly was a 1120g (2:7:8) blue orfe tempted on a double red maggot fished close in to the banking. His youthful enthusiasm ensured that the fish was landed in about a minute at the most and it would have been a record for the reservoir if he had been a member.

Other juniors found the perch to be feeding well near the outlet pipes and about 20 fish were landed on the red maggot with the biggest about 230g (0:8:0). Trout were difficult to find for once and only the odd fish was landed but despite the lack of variety, all who took part thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

When the event had finished, Simon Chenier decided to do a spot of pole fishing near the outlet pipes and was rewarded with a fine bag of fish totalling 6920g (15:4:4). Fishing 13 metres (43 feet) out and four metres (13.5 feet) deep, Simon landed a blue orfe (now nicknamed a suicide orfe due to their willingness to eat everything they see), four good perch to 450g (1:0:0), a roach of 340g (0:12:0) and a good bream weighing 1880g (4:2:8).

Heavy rain on Monday brought the first bank topper of the summer to the River Aire and there was some slight flooding of the low lying fields. Hopefully, this season’s fry will have found enough shelter to survive in the river rather than become gull food. Once the water level falls, anglers can expect to find some good sport with the brown trout at the start of the last month of the season.

A fun match has been arranged for members of the Skipton AA on the canal in the vicinity of Marton Mill, Sawley Street, on Sunday, September 4. The draw will be at 8.15 am with fishing from 9am until noon.